Looking for advice on buying a new (used) truck

[Roosterrusek]

OK, I am gearing up to sell my 1995 F150 in favor of a newer one. I know what I want and know the year range I will be happy with etc...

...my question, apart from finding what the blue book value is, is what should I expect to be offered considering I have kick ass credit?

Also, any tips at all would be appreciated since I have not done this in over 10 years.

Thanks...

[Roosterrusek]

Oh, I meant what % rate could I expect to be offered?

[VaSteve]

Most banks, credit unions and Ford credit post the rates on their websites.

Whats wrong with the '95? I want a tow vehicle.

[Roosterrusek]

Fair enough...and Sir RCecale that sits next to me did remind me about getting a loan secured before you walk in like thought my credit union, which will get me a 1.49% rate...not bad.

Nothing really wrong with the 95 other than a small hose leak for antifreeze that I am going to fix and there may be some brake pads that need replacing. Thing is that right now my wife and I commute together to work, that's going to change in the near future and I will need a truck (I tow a boat too) that I can count on for sure for a few years.

Plus, I haven't had anything remotely new for forever...

[ckelly78z]

No matter what you do, attempt to sell the 95 truck by yourself rather than taking the easy route and trading it in. My father-in-law insists on trading everything in, and making it easy, and then bragging about how much he got for trade. What he doesn't realize is that, yes, maybe he got as much in trade in as he would have gotten selling the vehicle on his own......BUT.......the dealership will not adjust the price of the new vehicle at all on a trade-in situation.

If I walk into the dealership without a trade, and look at the same vehicle, I can expect them to have about 10% adjustability in purchase price, which really starts to add up on a new or used, $30,000 car or truck.

[VincentVega]

If you have good credit you should be able to get very favorable loan terms, 1-4%. Considering the low borrowing costs I'd focus more on the price of the truck. Good luck, I think about selling my 'old' truck once in a while too.

[Cajundaddy]

Lots of ways to do this. Some guys really like "playing the game" and grinding the salesman over 6 hrs. Personally I have better things to do than negotiate in relative darkness with someone who can see all the cards. I own a fleet of trucks for my business and this is how I usually buy new:

1. Arrange financing terms in advance with bank or credit union.
2. Research the exact features I am looking for and know what a good price looks like.
3. Call the fleet sales desk and tell them what I am looking for. Anyone can do this. Most fleet sales work on a low margin/no haggle price for buyers who come prepared and have their own financing. By doing their work for them you often get the best price available. If they have the one I want at a price close to my "known" good price I'll give them a small deposit to generate a sale. They put together the paperwork, give me a balance due amt. and I call the bank to arrange a transfer on delivery. Once everything is in place I go to the dealership, test drive and inspect the truck, and complete the sale. Total time in the dealership is usually less than an hour.

This type of transaction is not for everybody and requires good credit and a good relationship with your bank/CU. It has worked well for me over the last 30 years buying work trucks and I think it is the most efficient and painless way to buy.

As always... YMMV

[911boost]

Paging Eric.....

[gr8fl4porsche]

Not sure if you are buying new or not, but I just got 0% from GM for 72 months.